You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Register a free account to unlock additional features at BleepingComputer.com

Welcome to BleepingComputer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.

Before Starting Ensure You've Saved Anything You Have Open that you Wish to Keep!!

Right Click AdwCleaner.exe & Select "Run As Administrator"

Please Click on the Tools Menu. There should be 2 Tabs: Options & Advanced.

In Options under Delete, Select Tracing Keys(Usually pre-selected,) and,under RESET select all Options on the Right Hand Side.

Do Not select any other Options with Square Boxes.

There should be Options for Mode and Debug. You can leave these at their Defaults. Press OK.

Next, you should see Two main Buttons, Scan and Logfiles. Please Press Scan.

AdwCleaner will Start to Update the Database if required. This may take a little while.

The Progress Bar will gradually move to the right as the scan progresses. It can take a while.

Next you should receive a Popup Notification advising of the Scan Result.

Select any Items AdwCleaner may have found for Deletion, or, Deselect anything you may wish to keep.

Under the Popup there will be a Log. Please Copy and Paste the Contents into your next Reply.

Next, Click Clean. Even if nothing was detected. This will require you to reboot the machine. Please do so.

Once the computer has rebooted, a second Log should appear. Please Paste into your Reply as well.

If you need to access Logs again, Open the Tool and Click the LogFiles Button. They are stored there.

The Logs can be a tad confusing at first. They all contain a number such as [S0] which is Log One. They are also accompanied by a date to the left side column. The lower the number in the square brackets, the earlier the Log. For example, I may have Logs; AdwCleaner[S0].txt (Earliest) to AdwCleaner[S27].txt (Most Recent.) Double Click a Log to Open it.

*Note: It is not necessary to activate the trial unless you want to activate auto-scanning and extra features.

Start the Malwarebytes Application.

Open the MalwarebytesDashboard.

Ensure that Malwarebytes is Updated to the Most Recent Definitions and Version.(Version Update may require license or Trial.)

Click Settings, then Application:

Enable the Following Options If Not Enabled:

(If you do not have a license or trial activated some options will not be able to be set.)

Automatically download and install application updates

Notify me when full version updates are available

Show Malwarebytes notifications in the Windows System Tray

Show Notifications when Real Time Protection settings are turned off

Set Manual Scans have high priority

Configure Proxy Server if you use one. (If you don't know what this means you likely don't. If in doubt, CHECK!)

Now switch to the Protection Tab and where possible Enable:

(The same license note as above applies here too.)

Web Protection

Exploit Protection

Malware Protection

Ransomware Protection

Scan for Rootkits.

Scan within Archives.

Use Signature-Less anomaly detection for increased protection

Always detect PUPs

Always detect PUMs

Automatically check for updates (Select Check every 15 Mins.)

Notify if time since last update exceeds 24 hours

Start Malwarebytes at Windows Startup

Enable Self Protection Module

Enable Self Protection Early Start

Automatically Quarantine detected Malware

I suggest, when in this situation, using Custom Scan. Select Scans Tab. Select all Drives(C: D: etc.,) and ensure scanning for Rootkits is enabled. (The Rootkit option MAY not be available to you if you haven't activated Trial, or, don't have a license.) Then Click Scan Now. This will take some time.

If you'd rather not Use Custom Scan, use Threat Scan, Return to Dashboard and Click Scan Now.

Once Scan is complete, please Ensure any Threats found are Selected and Removed.

Please obtain a copy of your Scan Report from the Reports section and Paste in to your Next Reply.

Then.....

Please download this tool and Run it if you accept the disclaimer below. Make sure you read the points below so you're ready.

This tool was not specifically designed to be run on Windows 10. There is a slight chance

this program may cause problems with Windows 10 although, I've used it many times with

no ill effect. I need to make you aware of this. The decision torun the tool (or not) is ultimately yours.